"Get Her Done"

​From the Oct 30, 2017 Norwalk Reflector electronic paper. They used this photo (see photo at bottom of page) for that days header. Nice view of the Park Depot rail cars and museum from another towns perspective. It took a small group of people from the Willard community to make this build happen in early to mid 1980s. (Old depot torn down 1976, new depot built 1980, Rails cars mid 1980s). Some of the names involved were Paul Capelle, Roy Doster, Gerald Lillo helped gather material from the depot tear down to rebuild this new depot using old bricks, beams and more. Todd Shininger was there and there were others involved. Things just don't happen, it isn't just given to anyone or any community. It took people with vision for this museum build after losing a chance to save the old depot downtown and to add these rail cars. The rail (cars) pieces almost didn't happen. See what can happen with community involvement from just a few people. NOW close your eyes and imagine this picture as bare ground with no history on it. Maybe just grass or field of weeds, maybe a home. Imagine Willard without the new reservoir off RT 61 or maybe no Midwest or LSC Communications formerly Donelley's). It took local people to make these things happen you have enjoyed all these years! See what this brings to Willard? Looks nice right? I bet you have been there for a reunion or park get together and looked through the history of your town. Think what we can all do if we teamed up together for Willard history. Small communities across the country are working to save history and use it to rebuild their towns to bring in new business, people and improve life. When we go on vacation we go to places that usually saved old buildings for restaurants, places we take a tour of or even stay in as hotels. You get the picture. It will never happen without locals changing the attitudes and open their minds toward change in this manner. Towns all around Willard have created small groups to improve their communities. They have done some things on small levels to improve working toward bigger things down the road. It's the way it is in the 2000s. Cities can't do it alone, they just don't have the funds to do this alone. It takes private business from those towns, manufacturing leadership, vision and PEOPLE to help. TEAM WORK is just a few hours a month, a skill set, ideas and doing things. All of us can give and hour or two each month to do something for Willard. We all know it isn't cheap either. Materials need bought and companies need paid to make things happen. Now here's the meat you have waited for. From talking with Don Graham this last week, we believe we are about 20 to $30,000 (from getting the clock tower up in working condition). Did I say working-again!! See attached photo of skeleton form. Phase two is the brick facade we are already working on. I have a small committee of locals that have worked as hard as they can for years to bring this to fruition for Willard as a whole. Many of their names have appeared on this facebook page and are known to you. They see the vision just like those who brought in MTD, LSC and new reservoir for everyone to enjoy and I mean everyone to enjoy. Why did those men and women in the past and those today do this? Because they love their hometown and want it to prosper. They have given time, their own money and more to this project for everyone. This can happen with you helping; I have always asked you all to be part of this, from kids that mow grass for part time money to companies that own and operate the largest manufacturing plants in town and the agriculture farms on the outskirts of Willard. Take ownership of it and do this as one. We ask for your help to finish this, we have given you options for donating, a monthly payment option with the Mike Hosler plan, a brick paver with two options on brick size to buy, a 600 page coffee table history of Willard book, straight donation and sock-hop dance. Ask us how or where to send a donation. Check out our web site and facebook pages for updates as they come in or to see where we started and more. Straight donations can be made to Save Willard's Clock and mailed to PO Box 367 Willard, Ohio 44890. THE TIME IS HERE, TO DONATE, TO SPONSOR, THE TIME IS NOW.